‘Helicopter contract won’t be renewed’: Kerala govt tells Lokayukta amid Satheesan travel row

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has said that the contract with Chipsan Aviation for the rented helicopter will not be renewed. The government made its position clear before the Lokayukta. The Director General of Prosecution also informed that the Chief Minister’s visit to Malappuram was not for personal purposes. Chipsan’s invoice was produced before the Lokayukta. The case was adjourned to November 3.

The Lokayukta had earlier sought the submission of documents in the complaint against Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s chartered flight travel. The action was based on a complaint filed by public activist K.M. Shajahan. The complainant had alleged that the Chief Minister had engaged in nepotism and abuse of power.
Also read | CPM reiterates demand for sponsor's name after Kerala CM asks if Pinarayi's flight arrangers were revealed

The complaint had alleged that Chipsan Aviation had paid for the Chief Minister’s air travel and that the company was awaiting an extension of its helicopter contract with the government. The petitioner had sought that the travel records be examined to determine whether corruption had taken place.